Vaping is all the rage among young people and this growing popularity is cause for concern. Poorly informed of the risks of electronic cigarettes, adolescents trivialize the dangers of vaping on their he alth.
With easy access to vaping products, this trend is not without risk.
Do your children know the risks?
Vaping has significant he alth risks. It's important to remind your kids that vaping is for smokers to help them quit. Non-smokers and young people should not vape.
Exposure to hazardous substances
Vaping can expose your children to dangerous chemicals, metals and contaminants. In fact, metal particles such as nickel, tin and aluminum have been found in some vaping products.
Also, although deemed safe in other consumer products such as cosmetics and sweeteners, the main liquids in vaping products (vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol) are still being evaluated about the safety of long-term inhalation. The risks are therefore unknown to date.
The effects on brain development
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. The use of vaping products containing nicotine can lead to addiction. Young people are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of nicotine, including addiction. Nicotine has been shown to impair memory and concentration and may impair brain development, key factors in academic success.
Learn about all the he alth risks of vaping by visiting He alth Canada's campaign page and inform your teens of the dangers they face so that they can make an informed choice.
And the school in all this?
Are you worried about the ubiquity of vaping products around your child? Open the discussion with their school in order to work together to raise their awareness of the harms of vaping. Propose to management to implement a program and activities to raise awareness of the use of vaping products. Check with them that no tobacco or vaping products are used during school activities and in the schoolyard.
